In a tribute to Lawrence [1]’s significance throughout the Civil War conflict, the Hobbs Park Memorial (10th and Delaware Sts., 785/749-7394, www.hobbsparkmemorial.org [2], 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sat.–Mon., free) features the Murphy-Bromelsick house, a masonry home that dates back to the town’s rebuilding period following the devastating raid and massacre by William Quantrill.
The carefully preserved home, which was at one time slated for demolition, now serves as a museum and is surrounded by various markers explaining the park land’s significance during the mid- to late-1860s.
The home of newspaper publisher John Speer, a vehement free-stater, Hobbs Park was the site of tragedy during Quantrill’s raid when Speer’s two eldest sons were murdered by raiders.
The Murphy-Bromelsick house is also said to represent a style of “working-class architecture,” prevalent in buildings constructed by Lawrence citizens in the months following Quantrill’s raid.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/kansas-city/excursions-kansas-city/lawrence-kansas
[2] http://www.hobbsparkmemorial.org